Week 37 Pregnancy VLOG, baby 4 by Teresa Palmer

WHAT WEEK?
37

HOW BIG IS BABY?
The approximate guess for bubby this week is 6lb 4oz/2.8kg. I went to a scan on Tuesday and they measured her size and gave me her weight estimate. This puts her in the 35th percentile and in their words “not the biggest baby, but not worryingly small either”. Babies at 37 weeks gestation are about the size of Honeydew Melon!

WHAT’S SOMETHING NEW THIS WEEK?
We moved in to our homebirth house this weekend when I was 37 + 4 days preggy. It’s such a gorgeous place, just the right size with a lovely open area where the birth pool has been set up. We had the oxygen tank dropped off, the tens machine, a blow up birth stool called Cub and a Birth Pool in a box delivered. The tens, Cub and Birth pool were all delivered by a local Adelaide company called Birthmother.

I also set up the table by the birth pool with the Dockatot and a blanket, the battery operated candles, a sock with two tennis balls in it tied at the top in case I have back labour, a couple of cloth nappies, two burp cloths and a couple of warm blankets. I still have to get a few things like an exercise ball, some cheap towels, puppy pee pads and cheap sheets to cover the couch where I will most likely birth the placenta.

MOST CHALLENGING MOMENT?
We found out this week that Mark may have to travel to the US for an exciting gig. It would mean leaving right after our baby is born. We would maybe get him for a week before he would have to leave. My heart hurts thinking of everything he will miss out on and how sad I will be without him but it’s such a brilliant opportunity for him and the next 5 years we are really dedicating ourselves to jumping at work opportunities so we think he’s going to take the job. I know it’ll be challenging solo parenting a newborn and three others, mainly the juggle will be school drop off/pick up and taking Forest and Poet to all of their extracurricular activities. I’m sure I can call on a bunch of people though, including my mum who will move into our house with us when Mark leaves and my Stepmum and Dad who can help with school runs.

MOST EXCITING MOMENT?
I’ve had some really strong braxton hicks this week. They come everyday at different times and I keep getting giddy with excitement that the real thing is just around the corner. The anticipation is high! The set up at the house was just as exciting, I can really envision it and know where I’ll be labouring. I seriously can’t wait, well I can, of course I can wait but the idea of having her here with us is just the thing that I’m most excited about and I hope during the most intense moments of this labour I can really lean in to the notion that with every wave I am getting closer to holding my baby.

STARTING WEIGHT?
52kg/116lbs

CURRENT WEIGHT?
65.8kg/145.2lbs

EXERCISE?
I went back to F45 this weekend and as usual I just LOVED it, although my legs, butt and arms are seriously feeling it and I’m walking verrrry slowly. I’ve also made sure to exercise at least 40 minutes each day and keep track of my heart rate using my Apple Watch. I’ve been religiously closing those rings haha!

MEALS?
I’ve had a fair few burgers and fries this week as we moved in very close to my fav vegan junk food spot- Lord of the Fries. We’ve also had some home cooked meals and I’ve been religiously eating a smashed avocado with macadamia feta, pickled onions and salad along with coconut yoghurt rhubarb granola mash up from a favourite restaurant here called Pickle in the Middle. Last night we ate at by far the best fine dining vegan restaurant I’ve ever eaten at, it’s called Allegra and Mark and I can’t stop talking about it. Firstly the food is off the charts delicious, a tasting menu that changes often depending on which ingredients are available from two local organic farms and secondly Mark and I had the best date night ever. One of those times where you just kick yourselves for not doing it more often!

REFLECTIONS?
I can feel the vibrancy in our family as we make way for our next little baby to come, there’s a sort of giddiness in the air radiating from everyone, sometimes it catches me off guard and I feel a slight panic rise up about the enormity of the task at hand, the unknowing- how will it go? What will it be like? Will we both be healthy? How long will it take? Can I manage? But just as quickly as those thoughts arise they’re replaced by the calmness of presence, just being in the here and now and trusting that my body and my baby are made for this.